Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-12-01
THE LAND OF "SHE."
A Romantic Trip to the Mountains. Gate,
Montana.


Montana.
Comparatively few of Helena's popu-
iation, says the Helena Independent, are
aware of the existence OF the great
scenic resort distant from this city about
eighteen miles in northerly direction,
and known as Hilgar's ranch or the
Mountains Gate. Much has been spoken
of the locality by the few who have been
favored with visit to the attractive spot,
and at times their reports have been
looked upon merely as exaggerations,
many not being inclined TO believe in the
grandeur and sublimity of the view as
pictured. personal visit to the prem
ises, however, will dispel all doubts, and
instead scene of awe ard wonder greets
the eye which almost battles description.
Ali is true that has been depicted of it,
and one visit is but an appetizer for fu-
ture trips. A good wagon road, romantic
in appearance, leads thereto. permitting
the voyage 20 be made in about three
hours. Emerging from a canyon, the
mighty Missouri and the humble though
delightful home of Mr.. Hilger pleasantly
situated on the east bank of the great
stream aud broad expanse of grassy
fields and heavily timbered-slopes spread
before the eye of the tourist, forming a
panorama grand in the extreme. An
hours halt at the coy farm house, where
one is treated right royalty by the genial
host and his most hospitable family, and
the little steel cruiser Rosa of Helena is
in readiness, and all prepared she steams
out into the broad and swift current on
her way through the wonderful gorge so
aptly named. The diminative vessel
though appearing little larger than an
ordinary skiff, is marvel of mechanism,
and said to be the only craft manHfact-
ured which SO far has breasted the power
full currents of the upper river. Con-
structed entirely of steel plates. propelled
by a small but powerful engine driving
with force stern wheel of peculiar con-
struction, proves most formidable sub
iect for blowing the stubborn stream.
Judge Hilger ably handles the rudder,
steering its course through the toftuous
and circEitous route, bringing the bound
ing tug through with safety to any de-
sired point. Mr.. Reece, the adiposian
engineer, admirably handles the valves
and levers with self satisfied air, and
smiles conplacently at the casual uneasi-
ness expressed by some when rounding a
sharp bend Or ascending turbulent
rapids. Pleasing and genial withal, he
becomes an immediate friend with the
voyagers, his Falstafian presence adding
iollity to the occasion. On speeds the boat
through the narrow defile revealing yawn-
ing chasms on either side of the river,
the escaping smoke from the steamers
funnel leaving a dense black line in the
azure sky grim indicator of the path
taken.
Browning walls of rock are encountered
their turreted battlements reaching far
into the heavens, each turn in the river
| revealing new wonders. Winding along
in its sinuosity the stream is encased on
either side with castellated walls and great
cliffs OF solid granite, towering columns
and arches, dismal and unexplored cav
erns whose entrances even have never
been traversed by man, mythical castles,
| heaven pointing steeples and spires, all
standing like gigantic seEtinels on the
| outpost of the rock bound home of some
tabled giant. The whole scene, novel and
marvellous, weird, grand, and majestic, is
such that can but be compared with the
views described infection. Here appar-
entity, rocks have been upheaved by the
violence of nature and forced to sub
lime height which before cooling were
soul ptul ed and chisied out in the blue sky
in designs known only to the gods.
With a slight tax on the imagination
faces, forms, and figures can be easily
discerned, and the weird fan oasies of the
brain and the sketches of the vague
borderings Of the dark PIutonian shore
as seen only in the vivid minds are
brought to view. A voice, whether aloud
or ia a whisper, reverberates from cliff
to cliff, and laugh is sent back from
mountain peak as though echoing in
mimic defiance the penetrability OF
the surrounding heights. Such in brief
is a description of the land here endeav-
ored to portray, and be it the Switzsr-
land of America, or the phantom pre-
cincts Of She, the fact remains that we
have within easy access of Helena local
ity which in Justice to ones self should
not be overlooked, especially when the
advantages offered for it's inspection are
SO favorable. During the fall months
nature is at its best, and pleasure seekers
can act no wiser than to avail themselves
of the opportunity suggested in visiting
the spot, as before long the mighty ice
king, who displays his herculean power
by blockading with barriers of adaman-
tine ice will have sealed for months to
come and make impossible the entrance
to the Mountains gate.
Faith Dollars Not a Legal Tender.